Japan market once again open for Brazil dairy

After two years of talks, Japan will once again import dairy from areas in Brazil free from foot-and-mouth disease. In addition to milk, the Japanese will now be able to buy butter, cheese, whey, and powdered milk from Brazilian producers.

The move was made possible by the International Sanitary Certificate—a document issued by Brazilian authorities acknowledging compliance with the rules in the target market.

Last year alone, Japan imported some $1.2 billion in dairy products from other countries. According to the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supplies, the Brazilian dairy sector is making its entrance into the international market.

Brazilian meat

On Saturday (Nov. 4), the Federal Sanitary and Veterinarian Surveillance of Russia announced the temporary suspension of beef imports from meatpacker Mataboi, in Goiás state, in the Central-West of Brazil. The Russian authorities also imposed stricter inspection measures on five other meatpacking firms: JBS, Aurora, Frigol, Irmãos Gonçalves (Frigon), and Frigoestrela.

Blairo Maggi, Brazil's agriculture minister, described the measures as routine. He said the ministry has not received an official statement yet.

“All I know I learned from the press. This sort of incident is absolutely normal—including temporary,  sometimes prolonged, suspensions, when non-compliance is detected by the importer,” the minister said in an audio recording sent to the press.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira